Revision is a Process –
How to Take the Frustration Out
of Self-Editing
by Catherine
E. McLean
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Self-Help,
Self-Improvement, Non-Fiction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
A first draft holds the possibility of what will be a great story. Revision
turns that rough diamond into a spectacular gem worth a reader's money and
time.
Writers
are individuals but to be a producing writer means creating a system to revise
and polish a work so the reader thoroughly enjoys the story. REVISION IS A
PROCESS is a guidebook for writers and authors that shows how a simple 12-step
process can be tailored to eliminate the most common and chronic maladies of
writing genre fiction. This valuable guidebook contains secrets, tips,
practical advice, how-to's, and why-to's for taking the frustration out of
self-editing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
From Section 1, An Overview of Revision is a
Process
. . . revision is a process . A logical, straightforward process
where you don't try to find and fix everything at once. Instead, you break the
monumental task into component parts and focus on only an item or two at a
time.
Okay, so the reality is that creative people, especially writers, hate logic and
straightforwardness. And it's a fact that logic and creativity have always been
at war with each other. After all, creativity gives a writer a high like no
other. It's the fun part of writing and storytelling.
On the other hand, revising, rewriting, and
self-editing are linear, logical, objective—and not fun.
But necessary.
Ever so necessary if one intends to be commercially
successful in the writing business.
Here's something I've learned about writing and
self-editing—a writer should find a middle ground. That means having the
logical part of one's mind work with the subconscious imagination (the creative
self).
It's about adopting a different view of
self-editing—calling it a process—and diligently organizing that process into
small steps that can easily be done. This gives a writer confidence that they
have polished their story and increased its marketability.
I strongly believe, and have seen, that
revision-as-a-process enables a writer to use both their left (logical) and
right (creative) brain to become even more creative.
That's because the writer not only tailors a
one-of-a-kind process but they also develop their own revision master cheat
sheets. As a result, the creative subconscious (the imagination) becomes aware
of the pitfalls and glitches that must be checked for, and subsequently, little
by little, the creative self dishes up better first drafts with far fewer
errors.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A. Write smarter – not harder 498 words
I have a question for you—
Would you enter the Boston Marathon without taking the time to figure out how
to condition your body for it, make a plan for exercising, keep a calendar for
workouts, gradually muscle up, or even test your abilities with a few short
runs?
Sadly, too many writers think their stories can
go from draft to publication without understanding the many aspects of what
makes for a marketable story.
To become an effective storyteller–not just
"a writer"—means starting with making the commitment to write and to
complete a short story or novel. It starts with putting the writing first and
making sure the family, spouse, kids, relatives, etc. know you mean business
when you say "unless you're at death's door or bleeding to death, do not
disturb me during my writing time!"
If writing is important to you, find a niche in
your daily schedule that's free so you can write.
Next is personal— you have to know what kind of
writer you are. Well, that won't
happen until you have written a million words. You see, most writers initially fall into two groups:
Pantsers or Plotters. The novice usually starts out as a Pantser, that is, they
put their butt in a chair, start writing, and then discover how erratic the
path is that their imagination takes. The story often starts out great guns
with the elation of a creativity high, but that soon fizzles into the reality
of a dead-end or characters going off on tangents, or the plot flip-flops, or
there's no ending in sight.
As to the Plotters, they outline. Some a little,
others a lot. However, by plotting they are assured of the plot and that their
characters are likeable and worthy of the story. Trouble is, once they plot out
the tale, they often lose interest in drafting the story.
Of course, it will be trial and error and certain
stories will require a certain way to be written, so that's why there are eight
other types a writer often evolves into or chooses to use because it works for
them.
Over the years, I've met a great many writers who
became multi-published and award-winning storytellers. They all developed a
system to consistently generate quality stories with a minimal amount of
frustration in rewriting and revising. What they also figured out is that all
the spreadsheets, Project Bibles, computer programs, questionnaires, and
"cheat sheets" in the world didn't work unless they were tailored for
their personality and the way they create a story.
And that's the key—discovering what will work for
you, your mind set, and the way you understand and create story people and
plots.
Yet, there are more factors that benefit a writer
on their journey to becoming a storyteller of worth, like joining a writer's
group, forming writing partnerships, and getting quality feedback from
beta-readers.
Do you have a system for consistently generating
completed stories or are you a die-hard Pantser or Plotter?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and
Links:
Catherine
E. McLean's lighthearted, short stories have appeared in hard cover and online
anthologies and magazines. Her books include JEWELS OF THE SKY, KARMA &
MAYHEM, HEARTS AKILTER, and ADRADA TO ZOOL (a short story anthology). She lives
on a farm nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains of Western
Pennsylvania. In the quiet of the countryside, she writes lighthearted tales of
phantasy realms and stardust worlds (fantasy, futuristic, and paranormal) with
romance and advenure. She is also a writing instructor and workshop speaker.
Her nonfiction book for writers is REVISION IS A PROCESS - HOW TO TAKE THE
FRUSTRATION OUT OF SELF-EDITING.
●
Hub Website: http://www.CatherineEmclean.com
●
Website for writers:
http://www.WritersCheatSheets.com
●
Writers Cheat Sheets Blog: https://writerscheatsheets.blogspot.com
●
Linked-In:
●
Facebook:
●
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/CatherineMcLea7
●
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/catherinemclean
●
Amazon Author Page:
●
Link to buy REVISION IS A PROCESS at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0988587440
●
Link to buy REVISION IS A PROCESS at Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/revision-is-a-process-catherine-e-mclean/1126295618
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
One randomly chosen winner
via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
Be sure to visit the other blogs on the tour.
November 21: Sharing Links and Wisdom
November 28: Rogue's Angels
November 30: This and That Book Blog
December 5: Books, Dreams,Life
December 7: Edgar's Books
December 12: Author C.A.Milson
December 14: Hope. Dreams. Life... Love
December 19: Fabulous and Brunette
December 21: Readeropolis
January 2: Mixed Book Bag
January 4: Wake Up Your Wild Side
January 9: Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
January 11: Musings From An Addicted Reader
January 16: Bookaholic
January 18: Kit 'N Kabookle
January 23: Eclectic Evelyn
January 25: Locks, Hooks and Books
January 30: Independent Authors
February 1: The Reading Addict
February 6: Mello and June, It's a Book Thang!
February 8: Dina Rae's Write Stuff
February 13: Lily Iona MacKenzie's Blog for Writers and Readers
February 15: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer
February 20: BooksChatter
February 22: Books Direct
February 27: Queen of All She Reads
March 1: The Book Connection
March 6: T's Stuff
March 8: Welcome to My World of Dreams
March 13: It's Raining Books
Thank you for having me as your guest today. I'll be checking back from time to time today to answer questions, discuss writing, or being an author.
ReplyDeleteI started out as a full-on punster. I'd get a brand new notebook and start writing. I've evolved a bit over the years. Now I like to have an idea of where I'm going, what the dark moment might be, and seriously work out the characters goals and motivations. I still use the notebook and write out the rough draft. Less temptation to go back and rewrite.
ReplyDeleteHi, Kathy,
DeleteEvery writer eventually develops a method that works for them. Kudos for discovering that writing in a notebook by hand is helpful. By doing so you are, in a way, "outlining" the story to figure out the important things before writing a draft that required countless revisions. I wish you all the best with your writing and storytelling. And thank you for dropping by.
Great post - I enjoyed reading it - thanks for sharing and Happy New Year :)
ReplyDeleteAnd a Happy New Year to you - and thanks for commenting.
DeleteI like the comparison to getting ready for the Boston Marathon, I can relate to that. I haven't done much writing except for school, and so I associate it with tests and grading. It would be fun to try.
ReplyDeleteI share with you the words of Sol Stein, who said: "A writer is someone who cannot not write." Which means there is something within a writer that propels and compels them to write, regardless of whether they ever get published. That writing might be fiction or nonfiction or poetry. Yet, the roots of good writing begin with writing to be understood and to explain things, which you're inadvertently experiencing with your school work and tests. Make no mistake, getting the words right is hard work! If you decide to pursue writing fiction, begin with Jack M. Bickham's book "Writing the Short Story - A Hands On Program." Don't let the title fool you. The book is about writing the Developed Short story - and the only difference between the Developed Short Story and a Novel is length and scope. Successfully writing the Developed Short Story means you're on your way to writing a good novel. I wish you all the best with your schooling and writing. Have a great New Year, and thank you so much for stopping by.
DeleteThank you and thank you for stopping by today!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed having you here today.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed being your guest today and now that the hour is late must say goodnight. I wish you and all those that visit your blog a prosperous and joyous New Year.
ReplyDeleteThank you for introducing me to this book, it sounds like something I'd really enjoy reading!
ReplyDeletecongrats on the tour and thanks for the chance to win :)
ReplyDelete